Talking Tram

Monday Nov 24 – Talking Tram

The day begins with the Talking Tram Tour. An excellent way to see the city and learn its history.

Alan is fascinated by the local mail carrier here!

Once on the tram, the driver takes us on a historic tour of Bendigo.  .

The tour head through town and speaks to the history of this gold mining town and the people who participated in it.  The history goes back into the 1800’s and is very informative.  Eventually we arrive at the tram sheds and have a good look at the building with a very large collection of historic trams.  Some are in full working order, others are being restored for service. 

Back on the tracks, the tour continues as we head towards the Chinese section of the town.  The Chinese had a large contingency here during the gold rush days.  They were proud, hardworking people with large gardens.  The vegetables saved the towns people by offsetting the effects of scurvy in that age.

It starts to rain and we return back through the town in the pouring rain.  The large river beds were empty, but for a tiny trickle, and after the rain were raging.  In the 1800’s they had paved each river with large stones as the miners sent too much debris down the rivers and they would get clogged easily.

We heard that there was flooding in Eaglehawk, so we went and checked our apartment. It was fine.  After lunch we tour the down town of Eaglehawk. Everything closes at five, so we are done for the day.